Structural device



Nov. 3, 1964 J. A. FORD 3,155,149

' v STRUCTURAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 sheets-sheet l INVEN TOR.JAMES A. FORD i awwgm/gyw Nov. 3, 1964 J. A. FORD 3,155,149

STRUCTURAL DEVICE Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 INVENTOR.1/1/1459 4. i090 awzmwyk United States Patent 3,155,149 STRUUEURALDEVICE James A. Ford, Lafayette, Galifi, assignor to Kirsch 60mpany,Sturgis, Mich a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 39, 1962, Ser. No.169,891 8 Claims. (Cl. 160346) This invention relates to transverse rodsand particularly to pulley structure to be used at the end of aceilingtype, double-channel, traverse rod particularly of the typeillustrated and described in my previously filed application Serial No.159,851, filed December 18, 1961, and assigned to the same assignee asthe present application.

While the pulley structure as shown in the previous application isentirely satisfactory, continuing work with this type of traverse rodhas revealed certain features of the previous structure which are notwholly satisfactory and which it is the purpose of the present inventionto i. prove. To this end, it is desirable to provide a pulley structurewhich is more convenient to install than was the pulley structure of theprevious design and, particularly, one which can be installed adjacentthe end of a traverse rod which has already been fastened permanentlyinto the ceiling of a room.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention include:

(1) To provide a pulley structure capable of being used with aceiling-type, double-channel, traverse rod of the type shown in mypatent application Serial No. 159,851.

(2) To provide a pulley structure, as aforesaid, which is of extremestructural simplicity but which is nevertheless strong and sturdy andcapable of easy and rapid installation into operating position.

(3) To provide structure, as aforesaid, wherein said pulley can beinstalled into operating position after the remainder of the transverserod has been mounted permanently in its operating position.

(4) To provide a pulley unit which can be readily installed as desiredafter the main traverse rod member has been mounted in position and,further, which may later be removed and installed as desired, all withassurance that when said pulley unit is installed it will be firmly andaccurately aligned with the main traverse rod.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent to personsacquainted with devices of this general type upon reading the followingdisclosure and inspection of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an oblique view of a traverse rod with the pulley structureof the invention installed in its operating position.

FIGURE 2 is an oblique exploded view of the several components of thepulley structure together with a portion of the traverse rod with whichsaid components operate.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the line IIIIII of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an end view of the traverse rod with the pulley structureinstalled in position, the same being from the leftward end as appearingin FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line VV of FIGURE 4.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown at 1 a ceiling-type,double-channel traverse rod of the type shown in my application SerialNo. 159,851 to which reference is directed for a complete illustrationand description of this type 'of traverse rod. Briefly, however, saidtraverse rod consists of a pair of channels 2 and 3 formed preferablyfrom extruded material and having in this embodiment a pair ofdownwardly opening slots 4 and 6. Flanges 7 and 8, used where acousticaltile or other prefabricated material is installed on the ceiling in.l,l5 5,l45 Patented Nov. 3, 1964 place of plaster, bear against thelower surface of the ceiling, indicated by the broken line C in FIGURE2, against and into which said traverse rod is mounted. Said traverserod is mounted by any convenient means, such as screws of which threeare indicated at 9, 9a and 912 (FIG- URE 1).

A plurality of drapery-supporting hangers 11 are arranged in the channel3 with the lower part of the hanger depending through the slot 6. Inthis embodiment said hangers each includes a roller appearing at 12(FIGURE 4) but the use of rollers is optional. Openings 13 in saidhangers are provided for receiving suitable draperysupporting means,such as hooks.

The channel 2 is provided for the carrying of appropriate master slides(not shown) and the traverse cords by which the desired traverse motionis applied to the drapery. It is the mounting of pulleys at the end ofthe traverse rod, which pulleys in turn guide and support said traversecord, of which a portion appears at 15 toward which the presentinvention is directed.

Turning now particularly to such pulleys, there is first provide an endchannel unit 21 which is identical in cross section with the traverserod 11 and preferably made from a cut-cit portion of the same material.Said end unit 21, however, has a segment of its middle flange 22 cut outto form the notch 23. It also has portions of the material on each sideof the slot 5 cut away to provide recesses 24 and 26 and the flanges 5and 5a of channel 2 are removed.

The pulley unit itself comprises a body member 27 of inverted U-shapehaving a pair of suitable pulleys 28 and 29 rotatably mounted withinsame and between the parallel sides 36 and 37 thereof. Such mounting maybe carried out in any convenient and conventional manner, such as bysuitably shouldered rivets 31 and 32.

A pair of forwardly extending supports 33 (FIGURE 2) and 34 (FIGURE 5)extend forwardly from each side 36 and 37, respectively. Said sides 36and 37 and said lugs 33 and 34 are spaced apart a distance such thattheir outside dimension, the dimension being that at d in FIGURE 4, isonly clearance distance less than the spacing of the flanges definingthe channel 2, namely, the spacing of the dimension 2 of FIGURE 3.

An end anchor is provided as convenient for the fixed end of thedrapery. In this embodiment, such end anchor comprises an angle member35 which is aflixed in any convenient manner, such as by welding, to theupper side of web 38 of the body member 27 leaving a hole 40 throughsaid web 38 and member 35 for reception of the screw 57 hereinafterdescribed. Its horizontal arm 39 extends laterally a suflicient distancethat its vertical arm 41 is in alignment with the hangers 11. The lowerend of said vertical arm 41 is provided with an opening 42 which is insubstantial horizontal alignment with the several openings 13 of thehangers 11 and acts to provide the desired means to anchor the end ofthe drapery which said traverse rod is intended to support.

A covering channel 43 having side flanges 44 and 46 is provided toinsure alignment of the end segment 21 with the traverse rod 1 which inturn assures alignment of the pulley frame 2'7 with the remainder of thedevice.

The traverse track 1, with the guide in position embracing its end (theleftward end as appearing in FIG- URE 1), is mounted into desiredposition and is afiixed in any convenient manner to the ceiling, such asby screws of which three are indicated at 9, 9a and 9b. The screws 9aand 9b extend both through the leftward end of the traverse rod 1 andthe rightward end of the covering channel 43 to affix said traversetrack and said covering channel firmly in position with respect to eachother and with respect to the structure upon which said traversestructure is to be mounted.

The end unit 21 is now fitted into the channel 43 which insuresalignment of its several parts with the corresponding parts of thetraverse rod. it is fastened in place by the screw 52 extending throughsaid end unit 21 and the channel 43 into the ceiling structure uponwhich the device is mounted. Alternatively, if desired, to reduceinstallation labor, the end unit 21 and the channel 43 may be rivetedtogether at the factory and shipped pre-assembled for mounting in placewith a traverse track 1.

The master slides are provided with suitable pull cords and areintroduced into the channel 4- through the space provided for the pulleyunit. The hangers 11 may be introduced into channel 3 at this time orlater if desired as hereinafter pointed out. The cords may then ifdesired be led through the pulley unit but this can be left until laterif preferred.

To install said pulley mechanism, the pulley structure 27 is fitted intothe slot 2 side of the end channel unit 21, removal of the flanges and5a therefrom permitting the pulley structure to slide thereinto. Theremoval of material from the center flange 22 to provide the notch 23permits the reception of the angle support 35 (where used) with theparts so interfitted, and preferably with the leftward (as appearing inthe drawings) end of the pulley structure 27 flush with the leftward endof the end unit 21 as shown in FIGURE 5. Next, the supports 33 and 34are introduced into the channel 2 of the traverse track 1 with saidsupports being positioned on top of the flanges 5 and 5a. With therightward end of the Pulley unit 27 so supported, the leftward endthereof is moved upwardly into position in the end unit 21. The screw 57is then passed through the appropriate openings in the web 38 of thepulley unit 27, the adjacent portion of the end unit 21 and through theadjacent portion of the guide unit 43 into lath or other materialcomprising the structural portion of the ceiling.

The foregoing description has assumed that the installation of thetraverse rod and the pulley unit associated therewith has taken placeprior to finishing of the ceiling inasmuch as this is the normal way inwhich this unit will be installed. In such case, after installation asabove described the ceiling will be finished as desired. If finishedwith acoustical tile or similar material, same will be installed abovethe fins 7 and 8 and the corresponding fins of the end unit 21. if theceiling is to be plastered, and the fins 7 and 8 accordingly have beenomitted, the plaster may now be applied as desired. Subsequent removalor reinstallation of the pulley unit 27 is then possible merely by theremoval of the single screw 57 and without disturbing any of the ceilingmaterial. However, it should be noted that it is possible, but normallyless convenient, to apply the ceiling material ahead of the installationof either or both of the traverse rod and the end unit 21 by leaving anappropriate opening for these parts with these parts being installedlater if desired.

Regardless of whether the ceiling material is applied before or afterinstallation of the traverse rod, the end unit 21 and other partsassociated therewith including the cut-outs 24 and 226 permitintroduction and removal of the hangers 11 after said end unit is inposition which facilitates introduction of said hangers into saidtraverse rod, if desired, after the pulley structure is mounted.Further, such cut-outs facilitate replacement of a defective hanger orchange of the number of such hangers as desired after the device hasbeen installed and in some cases, in use for a period of time, allwithout the necessity of removing the end pulley unit.

If the cords have not previously been introduced into the pulley unit,they may be now threaded through the appropriate pulleys and theapparatus is ready to function.

If desired, the pulley unit can be easily removed merely by the removalof the screw 57 holding it in position. Such easy removal facilitateseither repair or replacement of the pulley unit if and as needed.

While a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention has beendisclosed herein, the invention contemplates such modifications orchanges therein as lie within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a dual-channel, ceiling-supportable track for a traverse rodstructure, said track having lateral flanges extending toward each otherand defining the edges of a slot communicating with one of saidchannels, a pulley unit for mounting at the end thereof comprising incombination:

an end unit separate from said track and having a crosssectionalconfiguration substantially identical with the cross-sectionalconfiguration of the traverse track with said flanges of said end unitbeing cut away;

a covering member aligning said end unit with a traverse track and withthe channels of each thereof in alignment with each other;

a pulley frame including a pair of parallel side members spaced apart adistance such that they can snugly engage the legs of said one channel,means supporting said side members rigidly with respect to each otherand at least one pulley rotatably supported between said side members,said pulley frame being received into said channel of said end unitcorresponding to said one channel of said track where said flanges arecut away;

means fixing said pulley frame rigidly with respect to both said endunit and said track.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said channels in said track areseparated by central Web means and said end unit also has central webmeans aligned therewith, the longitudinally outer end portion of thecentral web means of said end unit being cut away to provide a passagebetween the channels of said end unit, and including also a sidewardlyextending bracket mounted on said pulley frame, extending through saidpassage into alignment with the other of said channels and thenextending downwardly to a point below same, whereby a rigid end supportfor a drapery material is provided.

3. In a traverse rod structure including a dual-channel,ceiling-supportable traverse track, one channel arranged for receivingdrapery-supporting means and the other channel arranged to receivetraversing cords, said other channel having lateral flanges extendingtoward each other and defining a slot, pulley structure for said cordssupportable at the end of said track comprising in combination:

an end unit having a cross-sectional configuration substantiallyidentical with that of the traverse track with said flanges thereofbeing cut away;

a downwardly opening channel member engaging both said traverse trackand said end unit for aligning same exactly with respect to each otherin order that the channels of said end unit will constitute substantialextensions of the channels of said track structure;

a pulley frame including a pair of parallel side members spaced apart adistance less than the spacing between the legs of said other channeland extending parallel therewith, said side members extending throughthe cut away portion into the channel of said end unit corresponding tosaid other channel of said track, and means holding said side membersrigidly afiixed with respect to each other, a pair of pulleys rotatablysupported between said side members, each of said side memebrs having alongitudinally extending lug at ends thereof extending into said otherchannel, said lugs having straight, longitudinally extending bottomedges resting on said lateral flanges, arcuate forward edges extendingupwardly and away from said track from the inner ends of said bottomflanges and upper edges offset downwardly from the upper edges of saidside members, said lugs being received into said other channel of saidtraverse rod track and the remainder of said pulley frame being receivedinto the corresponding channel of said end unit;

and means holding said pulley frame, said end unit, said channel andsaid traverse track all rigidly with respect to each other.

4. A traverse rod structure, comprising:

an elongated traverse track having downwardly extending side wallsdefining two downwardly opening channels arranged in side-by-siderelation and separated by central web means, the side walls of at leastone of said channels having lateral flanges extending toward each other,said flanges being cut away in a zone which extends for a predetermineddistance along the track near one end thereof;

a pulley frame including a pair of upright, parallel side members, saidside members extending into said one channel through said zone and beingdisposed parallel with and closely adjacent to the side walls of thesaid one channel, at least one rotatable pulley mounted on said pulleyframe and disposed between said side members;

means securing said pulley frame to said track;

said central web means being cut away along at least a portion of thezone to provide a passage between said channels and including a bracketmounted on said pulley frame and extending sidewardly therefrom throughsaid passage into the other channel and then extending downwardly into apoint below the other channel to provide a stationary support for adrapery.

5. A traverse rod structure, comprising:

an elongated traverse track having downwardly extent ing side wallsdefining two downwardly opening channels arranged in side-by-siderelation and separated by central web means, the side walls of at leastone of said channels having lateral flanges extending toward each other,said flanges being cut away in a zone which extends for a predetermineddistance along the track from one end thereof, the side walls of theother of said channels having inwardly directed end portions extendingtoward each other to define a slot therebetween, said end portions beingcut away in a region which extends for a predetermined distance alongsaid track from said one end thereof;

hangers supported in said other channel for sliding movementlongitudinally thereof and restrained from transverse movement out ofsaid other channel by said end portions; said hanger means beingremovable from said other channel when same are moved into said region;

a pulley frame including a pair of upright, parallel side members, saidside members extending into said one channel through said zone and beingdisposed parallel with and closely adjacent to the side walls of saidone channel, at least one rotatable pulley mounted on said pulley frameand disposed between said side members;

means securing said pulley frame to said track.

6. In a dual-channel, ceiling supportable traverse rod structure, thecombination comprising:

an elongated traverse track of constant cross-sectional configurationthroughout its length and comprising a pair of downwardly openingchannels separated by a central vertical web and having a pair of sidewalls spaced from said central web;

an end unit having a cross-sectional configuration identical to that ofsaid track but having portions thereof cut away at least through a partof its length;

a covering member of essentially constant cross-sectional configurationthroughout its length and comprising a downwardly opening channel havingan end of said track and said end unit snugly inserted thereinto formaintaining said track and said end unit in axially alignedrelationship;

a pulley frame received into one of the channels of said end unit;

fastening means securing said track to said covering member and, atleast in part, securing said track to said ceiling;

a releasable fastening element at least partially securing saidplurality frame, end unit and covering member together and to saidceiling.

7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein:

said traverse rod track and end unit each include a pair of similar,outwardly and oppositely directed flanges located on said side wallsintermediate the top and bottom edges thereof for contacting the ceilingupon which said traverse rod structure is installed and masking thejoint between said side walls and said ceiling; and

said covering member includes a pair of downwardly extending side sheetsconnected at their top edges by a top sheet for defining said downwardlyopening channel, said side sheets extending downwardly into essentiallycontinuous contact with said flanges on said traverse rod track and endunit to assure alignment of the flanges of said traverse rod track andunit.

8. The device defined in claim 6 wherein:

said pulley frame includes a pair of parallel support elements extendinginto that one of said channels of said traverse rod track which isaligned With said one channel of said end unit;

said one channel at said track includes a pair of opposed inwardlyextending flanges for supporting said support elements;

said support elements have a radiused forward edge for allowing pivotalmovement of said end unit around an axis extending laterally of saidtrack;

said pulley frame having an upwardly opening hole through the endthereof opposite said support elements;

said end unit and said covering member having openings which are alignedwith said hole and including a single screw insertable into asid holeand openings for fastening said pulley frame to said ceiling;

whereby said pulley frame may be removed from said traverse rodstructure by removing said screw, allowing said opposi e end of saidpulley frame to drop until said support elements are pivoted and movedclear of said flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,786,052 Boye Dec. 23, 1930 1,972,604 Smith Sept. 4, 1934 2,486,224Stutz Oct. 25, 1949 2,786,522 Weber Mar. 26, 1957 2,863,505 Cameron Dec.9, 1958

1.IN A DUAL-CHANNEL, CEILING-SUPPORTABLE TRACE FOR A TRAVERSE ROD STRUCTURE, SAID TRACK HAVING LATERAL FLANGES EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER AND DEFINING THE EDGES OF A SLOT COMMUNICATING WITH ONE OF SAID CHANNELS, A PULLEY UNIT FOR MOUNTING AT THE END THEREOF COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN END UNIT SEPARATE FROM SAID TRACK AND HAVING A CROSSSECTIONAL CONFIGURATION SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL WITH THE CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF THE TRAVERSE TRACK WITH SAID FLANGES OF SAID END UNIT BEING CUT AWAY; A COVERING MEMBER ALIGNING SAID END UNIT WITH A TRAVERSE TRACK AND WITH THE CHANNELS OF EACH THEREOF IN ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER; A PULLEY FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF PARALLEL SIDE MEMBERS SPACED APART A DISTANCE SUCH THAT THEY CAN SNUGLY ENGAGE THE LEGS OF SAID ONE CHANNEL, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SIDE MEMBERS RIGIDLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND AT LEAST ONE PULLEY ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID SIDE MEMBERS, SAID PULLEY FRAME BEING RECEIVED INTO SAID CHANNEL OF SAID END UNIT CORRESPONDING TO SAID ONE CHANNEL OF SAID TRACK WHERE SAID FLANGES ARE CUT AWAY; MEANS FIXING SAID PULLEY FRAME RIGIDLY WITH RESPECT TO BOTH SAID END UNIT AND SAID TRACK. 